Olympia | The JOLT News Organization, a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit

Wall of masks at Olympia's city hall, second floor. The Endangered Species Mask Project represents the collaborative work done between Restoring Earth Connections and 6th graders attending Thurgood Marshall Middle School. The 41 masks are on display on the second floor of Olympia’s City Hall. May 16, 2024.

Sixth graders complete an endangered species project The students of Autumn Stevick and Jennifer Metsler are not just passive learners, but active investigators, as evidenced in a recent … more

By Shirley Stirling | 5/24/24

"Cindy" spoke to the city council regarding rent increases.

Olympia resident raises concerns about rent increases

An Olympia resident aired concerns about preemptive rent increases in the city, alleging that her landlord appeared to circumvent the new rental protection laws. During the public comment … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/23/24 | 4 comments

Mariah Lee (in white) takes on a Tacoma defender in their opening game victory at home.

USL Women: FC Olympia division title defense kicks off with 4-0 home win vs Tacoma Galaxy

FC Olympia’s quest for another year of dominance in the USL W League Northwest Division is off to a flying start as they took light work of Tacoma Galaxy in a thumping 4-0 win in front of the … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/22/24

Affordable Housing Funding Recommendations. The Thurston Regional Housing Council recommends $5.9 million in funding for eight affordable housing capital projects to create or preserve 230 affordable housing units.

Homelessness and affordable housing funding approved by county housing council

The Thurston Regional Housing Council approved over $20 million in funding recommendations for homeless services and affordable housing projects at its meeting last Wednesday, May 8. The … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/21/24 | 3 comments

Finance Director Tad Kopf shows the Port Commission the revenues, expenditures, and income of the port’s four business lines.

Port of Olympia reports rosier-than-expected financials - if you don't count all the debt

Port of Olympia’s four business lines all performed better than projections in 2023, the port’s year-end financial report showed, but most of the agency's debt was excluded. … more

By Jerome Tuaño | 5/20/24 | 12 comments

Piggy bank with glasses over a calculator.

Thurston County, Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater to host joint Lodging Tax Funding Workshop

The cities of Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater, along with Thurston County, are set to host a Lodging Tax Funding Workshop for potential applicants on Wednesday, June 5, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lacey … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/20/24

State plans aerial spraying in Thurston County to kill tree-destroying spongy moth

When the invasive spongy moth is in its caterpillar phase, it isn’t a picky eater. That’s part of the reason the bugs are so destructive. “They eat between [300] and 500 different types of plants,” said Karla Salp, a spokesperson for the Washington Department of Agriculture. more

5/17/24

Dave – One piece of the puzzle that is homelessness

As I was walking down Washington Street NE last Friday morning, a homeless man standing in the shadows of the alley next to SK Market hailed me. “How ya doin’. “I … more

By JM Simpson | 5/17/24 | 12 comments

Last year, FC Olympia had a trip to Sacramento after an undefeated rookie season in the USL W. Can they repeat the feat this year?

Defending champions FC Olympia set sights on new season

United Soccer League West: FC Olympia’s championship set to repeat? Imagine winning the division just on your very first try in such a dominant fashion that you never lost to any team in … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/17/24

On May 14, the Yelm City Council approved the MOU, allowing the city to share the costs of the housing displacement and disparate impacts study.

Racial disparities impact study to be funded by Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm

Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, and Yelm have agreed to conduct a study on housing and racial disparities. The Olympia City Council has approved a resolution that allows the city to enter into a … more

By Lorilyn Lirio, Jerome Tuaño, JC Medina | 5/16/24 | 13 comments

This is an example of the outside component of a mini-split heat pump system.

Energize Olympia hopes to engage 500 residents in the 2024 heat pump program

Olympia is continuing its Energize Olympia heat pump program in 2024 with the goal of engaging at least 550 residents by providing education on heat pump technology and installing additional heat … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/16/24 | 4 comments

"Stop avoiding the mirror, the mirror is your friend."

Joint Animal Services unveils KittenCam, extended hours, adoption events

The Joint Animal Services Commission (JASCOM) has been actively enhancing its services and community outreach efforts, executive director Sarah Hock reports. more

By JC Medina | 5/16/24

Evergreen State College’s Alaunae Carstens photographed after her podium finish in the women’s 5000 meters.

Carstens and Scheuerell lead Evergreen State College at decent showing in Conference Championships

The best student-athletes from Evergreen State College Outdoor Track & Field Team competed in the Cascade Collegiate Conference (CCC) T&F Championships last May 10 and 11 at Moehl Stadium of … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/16/24

Local TV station TVW Invites community members to fentanyl forum

TVW is hosting a forum on the impact of the fentanyl epidemic on Tuesday, May 28 at the Olympia High School Lecture Hall. The event explores how lawmakers, federal agents, and treatment workers … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/16/24

Olympia reports a decline in police use of force, but an uptick in juvenile arrests

The Olympia Police Department saw a reduction in overall use of force incidents in 2023, but noted an increase in juvenile arrest trend, police auditor Tara Parker reported to the city council on … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/15/24 | 2 comments

SPSCC Theatre Collective Presents French tale Amélie

"Catch Amélie at the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts Main Stage from May 17 to May 26." The South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) Theatre Collective presents the beloved … more

By P. Jade Asumbrado | 5/15/24

Shooting threat at Olympia Federal Savings closes bank doors, 72-year-old man arrested

A 72-year-old man was arrested on May 7 after making shooting threats to the Olympia Federal Savings Bank employee. The Olympia Police Department (OPD) responded to a mid-afternoon call from the … more

By Darlanne Cruz | 5/15/24 | 1 comment

At the Olympia City Council meeting on May 7, 2024, Valerie Hammond voiced her concerns about speeding on Capitol Way which caused near accidents and property damage in recent years.

Olympia residents voice concerns over dangerous speeding on Capitol Way

At the Olympia City Council meeting on May 7, several residents voiced their concerns about speeding on Capitol Way in the south Capitol neighborhood, citing multiple incidents that have resulted in … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/14/24 | 3 comments

Olympia senior planner David Ginther presented recommendations on the Capital Mall subarea plan at the Land Use and Environment Committee on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Olympia committee recommends adoption of the Capital Mall triangle subarea plan

Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee recommended adopting the Capital Mall triangle subarea plan to the city council. At the committee meeting on Thursday, May 9, Senior Planner … more

By Lorilyn Lirio | 5/14/24

Former Seattle Sounders player Peter Hattrup being honored at Lumen Field.

FC Olympia hires Seattle Sounders legend Peter Hattrup for USL2 coaching staff

Head coach Jason Dunn aims to further strengthen his FC Olympia men’s side in preparation for the upcoming USL League Two (USL2) season after the addition of another Seattle Sounders legend … more

By Vince Zafra | 5/14/24